ASDA Foundation: Cost of Living Grant
Overview
This grant is designed to support the increased running costs groups will face between September 2022 and February 2023, including rent increases and electricity cost rises. The term ‘warm banks’ has emerged in recent months encouraging community locations this winter to remain open for longer to provide people with a warm, safe place to be rather than heating homes or living in a cold property. Are you a community group that are going to open longer to support individuals in your local area and provide a warm place to be? For any other funding requests that do not relate to increased running costs, please refer to the Empowering Local Communities or Under 18 Better Starts grant guidance.
How do Asda Foundation grants work?
Each Asda superstore has a Community Champion, and their role is to support groups and projects within the community, as well as managing Asda Foundation grant applications. The Community Champion in your local superstore will support you in completing your application and will submit the application to the Foundation on your behalf, they cannot accept applications direct from groups.
Please use the Asda Store Locator on the Asda Foundation website here to contact your local store and speak to your Community Champion about how they might be able to support you.
Is your group eligible for a grant?
Group Criteria
- Groups applying must meet all the following criteria:
- Group must have a presence in and benefit the local community
- End beneficiaries must be community groups of people o
- Must be not for profit
- There is no minimum timescale for how long the group has been in existence
Grant overview, criteria and options
This grant is designed to support local community groups following increases in their rent, utility bill and food costs as a result of the cost of living crisis.
There are TWO options within this grant.
Groups must be clear from the outset which option they intend to apply for:
A) Increased rent and utility bill support
B) Increased food costs support
A group may decide to apply for a combination of the two options, that’s absolutely fine. Just ensure they are clear on the application.
Increased rent and utility bill support
Rent your community space?
They understand increased costs mean rent is increasing. They can support your group by helping the bridge the increase in your rent.
Own your community space?
They understand gas and electricity costs have increased, they can support you with these costs to help keep your building open to the public. If you charge groups rent, help pass on similar prices through their help.
Community needs you to open longer?
They know many people will be struggling to afford putting their home heating on. If your space remains open longer to help people, they will support these extra costs
Examples:
- A community centre is opening their doors in response to the local need. The main hall will be made available three days a week to anyone who wants a warm safe place to spend time. Tables and chairs will be provided and a radio will on. Everyone is being encouraged to use the space for whatever they need. Asda Foundation is supporting them with a grant for £1,000 to support the additional heating costs from October to February.
- A group runs craft mess afternoons for toddlers and parents in the local community. The toddlers play with paint, crayons etc and the parents are able to socialise and meet other parents. The area has high level of deprivation and poor mental health amongst young people. The group is struggling to continue as their rent costs have increased significantly due to the building they use experiencing high costs they have had to pass on. Asda Foundation is supporting them with a grant to support the rent increases for November, December and January.
Increased food costs support
Many communities will be struggling to cover food costs. This funding option enables groups to support those impacted most through the provision of meals, community cafes, food parcels, delivered meals, soup kitchen etc.
Example:
A community group is support local families struggling to afford the weekly food shop. Food boxes are prepared every week for families to collect. Parcels include everything they need for 3 main meals for up to 4 people. Asda Foundation is supporting the activity with a grant for £800 which will fund family food boxes for 8 weeks.
Combination Example:
A community centre is usually open three afternoons a week to offer a social café to the local community. People come for a coffee and socialise with people, most attendees would otherwise be home alone. Due to cost of living increases, attendees have mentioned their concerns over the winter months, the café is a lifeline for them. The community centre is going to open 7 days a week, they have the willing volunteers to run the café but cant afford the heating for 7 days a week and would like to provide a hot meal free of charge on some days. Asda Foundation is supporting them with a grant for £1,000 to support the additional heating costs and fund the meals for January and February 2023 when the coldest weather is expected.
How much can I apply for and when?
- Groups can apply for Cost of Living Grant in addition to one other grant or Green Token Giving.
- Applications must be submitted to your local Community Champion from 19th September and the application window will remain open until the budget cap has been reached. Therefore, please aim to submit applications to Community Champions as soon as possible.
- Funds can be spent from September 2022 to February 2023.
Grant size: £500-£2000
Activities to occur before 28th February 2023.